There are angels among us

Some of the puppies that have come to Pets, Inc. in West Columbia and have found homes.

I know we've all heard of Christmas angels and their good deeds, but I wanted to tell you about a group of angels doing great works year round right here in the Midlands. This is also a letter of thanks and recognition for some very deserving people.

My daughter lives in the Lancaster area and heard about a deplorable situation at the animal shelter there. It seems that record number of pets are being turned in and strays picked up. A lot of this is due to people no longer being able to afford to care for them properly because of the Spring Mill closings and job shortages in the area. Because of the high number of animals coming in and very few reclaims or adoptions, the number of animals being euthanized is astounding.

We decided to see if we could do anything to save a few of these animals. We called numerous rescue groups and were told basically the same thing by all. This problem is everywhere. Animals are being killed daily, and we have pets here in Columbia that need saving...sorry we cannot help. Finally, we called Pets, Inc. in West Columbia and were told they would try to do what they could to help, even though at that time, they were themselves working out of very strained conditions as they tried to finish their new facility.

We started in July with three little five week old puppies and as of today, they have helped rescue and place over 75 animals from this area.This group of people truly cares for the welfare of these little ones, not just from the Midlands but throughout the state. Let's give them the praise and support they deserve for all the hard work they do everyday.

Thanks also to Small Breed Rescue of S.C. who just joined our efforts and has found homes for six pets, and to Joyce from APL who took three dogs and two kittens in September. We also thank the workers at the Lancaster Shelter who have been so helpful and who let us and other loving volunteers come in and try to save these innocent creatures.

Mary M. Whitaker